Meet Karen

Executive, Leadership and Business Development Coach

"Creating a safe space to think is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves, and one of the greatest services we can offer to others."

Karen Carpenter

0333 444 9845 Get In Touch

Nurse Leader Facilitator Coach

Despite the name, there is only one Karen Carpenter! Described by others as wise, brave and empathic, and with a professional career that includes many years working independently as a consultant, trainer, and coach as well as many years leading and managing complex operations, I am equally comfortable working with executives and their teams as with small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs just starting out on their journey.

Where It All Started

Those who know me, know that my life passion has been my horses. I am a true country girl at heart. But, I also have a fascination for history.

These days, my interest is fairly broad, not confined to any particular era – but, it started with an embroidery kit of Anne Boleyn that I was given as a young child. I have never actually liked embroidery so I only ever managed a few untidy stitches before giving up.

Nevertheless, I was intrigued by the image of the ill-fated queen and, over the years, became increasingly interested in the Tudor period. Then, as my nursing career progressed through the ranks, I found myself increasingly noticing the lessons of history and relating them to some of the tough situations I encountered myself – situations where it really did seem that any day your head might roll!

I didn’t realise at the time, but these small insights provided the first seeds of the idea that was, much later, to become Karen Carpenter Events.

They were not the only seeds.

Over the years I have gathered inspiration from many familiar, and sometimes less likely, sources. The coach training that I completed in 2012 included a day’s insight into coaching with horses and it is certainly true that many of my ideas have emerged whilst spending quality time with my equine friends. In fact, my first solo event ‘No More Horsing Around: From vision to reality, tips to keep you on track to success from a retired racehorse’ was inspired by my companion of over 30 years, Sunrise Sadiq aka Barney, and his journey from gangly yearling to fleet footed winner over 12 furlongs.

I also read – a lot – across a broad range of coaching, business, leadership and self-development topics. I often recommend books that I think will resonate with individual clients - and I regularly use analogies to help speed up the process of understanding and to depersonalize difficult situations. It is, after all, much easier to think freely about somebody else’s challenges than our own.

So, the events you will find here are an eclectic mix of topics that interest and intrigue me. What connects them is the golden thread of lessons learned in life, leadership, and business. My hope is that you too will find value in following the connections, wherever they may lead you.

A Track Record Leading, Innovating, and
Facilitating Change

A registered mental health nurse for over 30 years, I held various senior positions including; Clinical Director, Service Director, Hospital Director and Director of Nursing before retiring as a nurse in 2018.

During the 1990s, I played a significant role in the closure of out-dated institutions, and the simultaneous development of modern community alternatives for people with complex and challenging needs. As a result of this work, I developed a special interest in risk management, creating protocols and training packages to support front line staff in their assessment of actual and potential risk, and advising Board Directors on the investment risk of new service developments. As interest in my work grew, articles and conference presentations followed &, in 1998, I left the NHS to work freelance as a consultant and trainer.

In the years that followed, I worked with public, private and voluntary organisations, growing my reputation as a skilled trouble shooter, change agent, and facilitator. In 2007, I was persuaded to return to the NHS as Service Director for an inner London borough, responsible for the full range of adult mental health services during a period of complex change.

I completed my Diploma in Performance and Life Coaching with Neuro Linguistic Programming in early 2012 and over the ensuing four years took on a series of interim projects whilst establishing my coaching practice. I have been working full time as an executive, leadership and business development coach since 2016.

Your Trusted Thinking Partner

Over the last 10 years, I have worked with more than 100 leaders, business owners, and associated professionals from a broad range of industries, helping them - and/or their teams - to navigate the many challenges that come with business growth, change and uncertainty.

Often, the first contact is prompted by a critical moment – an important decision to make, or a realisation that something in themselves, or their organisation, needs to change, or evolve, to bring about a desired outcome.

Clients value the opportunity to speak openly and honestly with a trusted professional – someone who listens carefully, isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions, and offers meaningful feedback as they navigate through situations that can feel difficult, messy, confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes lonely. They value the calm, and the time to think

And from my perspective, whether I am helping established leaders work through complex decisions, supporting entrepreneurs in the early stages of building their business, or guiding groups and teams towards a better understanding of themselves, and their shared responsibilities, my aim is always to create an environment where people feel safe to discuss challenges honestly, explore new perspectives openly and, ultimately, take meaningful action to move their business forward.

At the core of my work, is a simple belief: when people have the right space to think, the right answers will reveal themselves.

What People Are Saying

My experience with Karen has been entirely excellent, either in group settings or in one-to-one coaching situations. Individually, for instance, she was able to turn some of my statements of "self-evident truths" into interesting questions, thus opening avenues for self-reflection and enabling me to explore possibilities for future self-development, In group settings, she has created an engaging workshop model to serve as a vehicle for both imparting business lessons and encouraging personal growth. In these, she also shows an ability to tailor her approach to different personality types, ensuring all come away richer for the experience.

Varg Aamo

BPM at MSD Norge

I am delighted to recommend Karen as an outstanding Business Coach. She has been instrumental in driving both my personal and professional growth, providing invaluable guidance and support. Her events are well-thought-out and thought-provoking. Karen has a remarkable ability to not only understand complex business challenges on-the-fly, but also to understand and connect with the person she is speaking to. She offers practical, actionable solutions, and always seems to spot a crucial different perspective. She has not only improved me as a person, but also consistently leaves me motivated to reach new heights and achieve my goals. Karen is not only a coach but a trusted partner who genuinely cares about my business and personal success. I can`t recommend her enough.

Ian Copeland

Founder, Managing Director, & Technical Lead, Six Ticks Limited

Karen has recently delivered a leadership workshop to my customer team. It was an innovative and interactive session that all members thoroughly enjoyed and took a lot from. They have all asked for part 2. The programme didn’t follow usual leadership fashion and it really made people stop and think. Thought provoking, engaging and a really valuable session.

Lisa Powell

Operations Director - Midlands & South West, Ramsay Health Care UK

Karen Carpenter’s webinar `Divorced, Beheaded, Died: What the fate of Henry VIII`s six wives can teach us about keeping our heads in business` was an insightful, brilliant and fascinating use of British history as a springboard for identifying business lessons that we can bring into our modern work. It was a well-attended event, and Karen superbly orchestrated discussion among the attendees, enabling everyone to get to know one another and to network. Her enthusiasm for the topic was inspiring. I’m looking forward to attending more of her events, and would highly recommend them to others.

Brad Borkan

Award Winning Author and Speaker

Karen did a fantastic presentation for one of our female empowerment event, it was very impressive to watch and learn from her, she worked with the audience leaving them inspired and looking forward to the next event!

Lucy Murphy

Owner of The Salon, Shrewsbury and Founder of Shropshire Women